Best in Show is a painted portrait exhibition for the animals we love and live with. Founded by artist Julia Holden on Waiheke Island in 2023, it has grown into an annual celebration of dogs, cats, and the occasional worst pest, judged by public vote across five categories: Best Pup, Best Puss, Best Pet, Best Worst Pest, and the overall Best in Show.

The fourth edition opens this summer at Waiheke Art Gallery, 4 December 2026 to 7 February 2027, with a programme of gallery talks covering the many ways animals affect us and reminding us of our responsibilities toward them and the motu. This edition supports WISCA, the Waiheke Island Society for the Care of Animals, as charity partner.

Behind the humour is something more serious. Through animals, Best in Show finds common ground across the differences that so often divide us. It's an exhibition built on care, generosity and joy, and it's still growing.

More soon.